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CNS Story:
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POPE-ABBAS Apr-24-2007 (360 words) With photo. xxxi
Pope meets Palestinian leader with honors given to head of state
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With all the honors usually given to a head of state, Pope Benedict XVI welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican.
During their 12-minute private meeting April 24, the two leaders "reviewed the situation in the Middle East," said a Vatican statement.
The statement also hailed efforts to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
It also said that in Abbas' meetings with the pope and with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, the situation within the Palestinian territories, including "the difficulties Catholics face and the value of their contribution to that society," was discussed.
Cardinal Bertone told reporters later that the Vatican hoped recent changes within the Palestinian government and between Israeli and Palestinian leaders "would bear fruit" and lead to peace.
He also said he and the pope told Abbas that the Christian community in the Holy Land needs protection and assistance "to prevent an exodus because their presence is a witness to the origins of Christianity" and to the fact that Christians, Muslims and Jews can live together in peace.
Cardinal Bertone said the Catholic Church, especially through its schools that accept both Christian and Muslim students, is providing Palestinians with a value-based education that "is very important for the development of peace in the region."
Although the Palestinians do not yet have a state, the Vatican followed its protocol for a visiting head of state: Swiss Guards stood at attention in the courtyard where Abbas arrived and in the Clementine Hall where Abbas passed before arriving at Pope Benedict's library accompanied by a group of papal gentlemen dressed in tuxedos.
Abbas was accompanied by an eight-member delegation, which included Ziad Abu Amr, Palestinian foreign minister.
Abbas and his delegation were visiting Italy and other European countries in an attempt to convince them to resume direct aid to the Palestinian Authority. The aid was frozen after Palestinian elections in 2006 brought Hamas, a militant group, to power.
On March 18 Abbas swore into office members of a new government representing both Hamas and Fatah, a moderate party.
END
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